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Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from hollows of living trees in the city of Alfenas, MG, Brazil
Author(s) -
Reimão Juliana Quero,
Drummond Elislene Dias,
Terceti Mateus de Souza,
Lyon Juliana Pereira,
Franco Marília Caixeta,
De Siqueira Antônio Martins
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
mycoses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.13
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1439-0507
pISSN - 0933-7407
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2007.01374.x
Subject(s) - cryptococcus neoformans , biology , cryptococcosis , cryptococcus , serotype , isolation (microbiology) , inoculation , botany , agar , veterinary medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , horticulture , bacteria , medicine , genetics
Summary Cryptococcus neoformans is an encapsulated yeast, aetiological agent of cryptococcosis, commonly associated with pigeon droppings and plant materials. The species has also been associated with tree hollows. The aim of the present work was to verify the presence of the yeast in hollows of living trees and identify the isolates obtained in varieties and serotypes. Three samples were collected from 18 trees of five different species totalling 54 samples. Wood samples were collected by scraping the surface of the trunks and the inner face of the hollows. Samples were inoculated on to agar Niger medium for fungal isolation. The serotypes were determined by PCR using specific primers. Among the 54 samples evaluated, two were positive for the presence of C. n. var. neoformans (serotype A and MAT α ). The trees belonged to Caesalpinia peltophoroides and Anadenanthera peregrina species. The results of this study suggest that decayed wood obtained from hollows of C. peltophoroides and A. peregrina can be used as natural habitat for C. n. var. neoformans .